CHICAGO – The Houston Baptist University volleyball travels to compete in the 2010 Great West Conference Tournament this weekend at the Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center.

The fourth-seeded Huskies face fifth-seeded Texas-Pan American in the first round Friday at 2 p.m. The winner advances to Saturday's semifinal against defending champion and top-seeded North Dakota, which earned a first-round bye.

HBU (17-12, 7-5 GWC) is led by sophomore outside hitter Heather Leaverton, who averages 2.84 kills and 2.66 digs per set, and junior right-side hitter Isis Gardner, who averages 2.70 kills per set. Junior libero Courtney Whittleman leads the Great West with 5.44 digs per set, and junior middle blocker Jolie Graf leads the league with 1.18 blocks per set and ranks second with 0.38 service aces per set. Sophomore setter Victoria Weatherly ranks second in the conference with 9.98 assists per set.

Marci Logan averages 3.33 kills and 2.40 digs per set for UTPA (8-19, 4-8). Kaitlin Vasquez leads the team with 4.01 digs per set.

The Huskies swept the season series against the Lady Broncs, sweeping both matches in 3-0 fashion, Sept. 18 in Houston and Oct. 23 in Edinburg.

The Great West All-Conference teams and postseason awards will be released Friday morning prior to the commencement of the tournament.